Less Jet-A?

NEW YORK (CNN) -- U.S. Airways is pressuring pilots to use less fuel, undermining their authority and possibly compromising safety, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Airline Pilots Association.

U.S. Airways says it wants pilots to balance an appropriate amount of fuel with rising gas prices.

Eight pilots and their union have filed complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration, accusing the airline of infringing on their authority and making them fly with less fuel than they feel is safe, said James Ray, a spokesman for the U.S. Airline Pilots Association.

There are two sets of fuel rules:

1. Those set by the FAA: when you file a flight plan, you also file an alternate airport for emergent purposes. Fuel burn is known, distance is known. You must have 45 minutes of fuel when arriving at your primary destination, but also 45 minutes of fuel in reserve at your alternate destination as well.

2. The Pilot in command has the final decision: in terms of how much fuel to put on board, and other issues.

Most pilots know when they have to wait for takeoff. If there is a taxi time issue, most pilots will run the ramps with one engine and then, when closer, spool up the second engine in line. A Southwest 737, for example, will burn 800 pounds of fuel per hour, per engine, to taxi. Climbout burns 2,000 pounds of fuel per hour, per engine.

There are also various economy settings in a commercial aircraft. Power may be pulled back in order to save fuel in flight. Fuel is heavy. There may be 100,000 pounds of fuel on board a large commercial craft.

US Airways has apparently had a consistent history of discontent between its pilots and management.

The big question: are these pilots adding 2,000 or 3,000 additional pounds of fuel -- what most pilots consider very reasonable? Or are they adding 10,000 pounds, 12,000 pounds?

BZ